EDWARD VIII—DUKE OF WINDSOR

public concern than was his love of flying. So hard was
his riding both in races and on the hunting-field that a
full share of accidents came his way and attracted more
attention to his private pursuits than he wished for.
During November, 1922, he was forced to cancel all
engagements and to walk on crutches as the result of a
fall while hunting. An ankle was badly injured. Before
the year was out, however, he was mounted again and
riding the harder for the energy that had been checked.
Those who saw him hunting at that period were never
given cause to think him a half-hearted rider. Rather
did his zest lead him to try his strength ill-advisedly on
occasions. He was almost too keen, even judged by
the standard of those in whose eyes the whole of life is
contained within the flesh and frame of a horse. He
would never give up. A complete somersault over a
gate did but incite him to try more gates; and once
when he took a toss and landed on his face, he remounted
and finished among the first four.

A climax was precipitated at the beginning of 1924.
He was riding in the Army point-to-point races at
Arborfield Cross and had a bad fall. Those who saw it
speak of it as a narrow escape. Even so, the Prince had
presence of mind enough to telephone the King and
Queen lest they should receive exaggerated news
through other channels. The interaction of Press
opinion and public opinion now began to have effect.
Newspaper proprietors took it upon themselves to
appeal to the Prince to give up the dangerous sports of
point-to-point racing and steeplechasing. But a few
weeks later he was riding in the High Peak point-to-
point races at Buxton, and, partly out of admiration,
partly out of critical interest, unprecedented crowds
came to the meeting. Here was a further danger, for
if the crowds gathering round the fences became
unmanageable and frightened the horses, possibility of
accidents was increased to probability. Many thousands
saw the Prince ride an exciting race that day. His horse

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